Important News:
As of January 1, 2025, The City of New Buffalo will no longer be using SafeBUILT for Building Services.
Municipal Inspection Authority(MIA) will be The City's new Building Services contractor. Mr. Troy Gano, CBO, will be the Building Official of record, and his partner, Mr. Caleb O'Toole, will also provide building inspection and plan review services. Please call 269-286-8484 to schedule BUILDING inspections after January 1.
The City will be contracting directly with trade inspectors. Inspection Requests will be accepted after January 7, 2025. For plumbing and mechanical inspections please call Ken Jewell at 269-287-0425. For Electrical inspections please call Ken Simpson at 269-471-5869.
Site Plan Review
Per The City of New Buffalo Zoning Ordinance effective September 8, 2024, all new construction requires the following:
1. Zoning Permit
a. Zoning permit can be found here.
b. The zoning permit fee is $100.
c. If you are submitting a site plan review at the same time as the zoning application you do not need to provide a site plan in the zoning packet.
d. The Zoning Permit is good for six (6) months and may be extended.
2. Site Plan Review
a. The site plan review form can be found here. Please include the site plan review checklist along with your site plan review form. Please note that this is a multi-purpose form for ZBA and Site Plan review and covers both commercial and residential projects. Portions of the form will not be necessary for residential projects. Please contact the Building/Zoning department with any questions about the form and/or required documents.
b. A site plan review costs $350.
c. Once the site plan review form is submitted and paid for, along with all required documents, there is a 40-day administrative review period. During this time City Staff will review your packet and may contact you with additional questions and/or document requests.
d. After the 40-day review period is complete the Site Plan will be reviewed by the Planning Commission at their next scheduled meeting. If the site plan is approved, the Planning Commission passes their recommendation on to City Council for final approval, to be approved at the following City Council Meeting.
e. Please note, site plan approval is not a building permit. You must obtain building permits and right- of way permits as-required for approved site plans.